The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft returned safely to Earth early Sunday morning, marking the end of a successful mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Russia’s space agency Roscosmos confirmed. The spacecraft’s descent module, carrying Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexei Ovchinin and Ivan Wagner along with NASA astronaut Donald Pettit, touched down near Jezkazgan in central Kazakhstan at 04:20 Moscow time (0120 GMT).
The return followed a routine undocking from the ISS’s Russian segment, specifically the Rassvet module. Roscosmos noted that all deorbit and descent procedures were executed according to plan, culminating in a smooth landing in the Kazakh steppe a common site for Soyuz recoveries.
Launched in September 2024, the MS-26 mission spanned several months and included a robust scientific and operational agenda. During their time aboard the ISS, the trio conducted 43 applied science experiments across various disciplines, including biology, physics, and materials science. These investigations contribute to a growing body of knowledge that supports long-duration space travel and improves life on Earth.
Beyond their scientific duties, the crew also carried out one spacewalk to maintain and upgrade ISS systems, and played key roles in the docking operations of three visiting vehicles one crewed and two cargo spacecraft ensuring the smooth logistical flow that sustains the station’s operations.
This mission added to the spaceflight resumes of the returning astronauts. For Alexei Ovchinin, it marked his third journey into space, while Ivan Wagner completed his second mission. For 69-year-old Donald Pettit, a seasoned member of NASA’s astronaut corps, this was his fourth time in space extending a career that began with his first spaceflight in 2002.
Their successful return underscores the ongoing collaboration between Roscosmos and NASA, even amid evolving geopolitical landscapes, and highlights the vital role of international partnerships in advancing human space exploration.
With the MS-26 crew safely home, preparations are now underway for the next wave of astronauts to journey to the ISS, continuing the scientific legacy of the orbiting laboratory.
